13 Key Attributes Animal Control Workers Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Ava Rodriguez

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Animal control workers handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

The core tasks that animal control workers are likely to carry out include:

Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.
Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that animal control workers would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Having a strong preference for realistic work environments. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 95.29%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 92.6%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 90.4%

Accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 90.2%

Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 89.6%

Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 88.2%

Developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 86.8%

Being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 85.8%

Being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 82.6%

Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80.6%

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%